Cheek-distender.



No. 776,302. y PA'TBNTED NOV. 29, `1904.

J. G. -GRUGKB'IITl l GHBEK DISTENDBR.

y APPLICATION YILED APR. 4, 1904. `N0 MODEL.

www@ A TTnn STATES Patented November 29, 1904. l

PATENT GTFICE.

CHEEK-DISTENDEF?.l

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 776,302, dated November 29, 1904.

Application filed April 4, 1901iI Serial No. 201,556. (No model.)

To all whom, if may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES G. CRooKETT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pulaski, in the county of Pulaski and State of Virginia,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cheek-Distenders, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to cheek-distenders for use by dentists, the object thereof being to so construct the same that by the simple manipulation of the handles thereof the cheeks of a patient may be distended and held during the operation within his mouth.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like symbols of.

reference represent corresponding parts in the several views, Figure l is a perspective view of the device in its locked position. Fig. 2 is a modification, and Fig. 3 a modification of the cheek-pieces.

2 2 represent the arms of the device,3 a hinge connecting the same, 4.a thumb-screw or coupling-pin connected by a chain 5 with the handles to prevent loss of same, and 6 a catch to lock the arms. The overlapping plates forming the hinge are made convex, as shown, to give a larger bearing-surface.

v7 7 are the cheek-pieces, the same being adapted to engage and distend the cheeks of the patient. These cheek-pieces may be made in the form shown in Fig. l, wherein is shown a central piece 8, being the main portion of the device, and the same is turned upon itself and brought back to the forward end, so that a piece of raw cotton or the like may be held by it, or, if desired, I may make it in the form shown in Fig. 2, wherein is shown a simple bend or as disclosed in the modification in Fig. 3.

In the modification shown in Fig.- 2 the spring 9 is formed from the main body of the material by being bent into a coil, and a locking-link l0 is used instead of the catch shown in Fig. l. In this figure, as before explained, the cheek-pieces are shown having only one turn. In the modification shown in Fig. 3

the wire 1l is turned and brought back, a loop made, and it is then brought forward and rests Within the turn first made at 12.

13 is a depression formed in the cheekpieces to override muscles extending from the cheeks, said cheek-pieces being also curved to conformto shape of cheeks.

The device is intended primarily as auxiliary in taking plaster or other impressions of the lower maxillary or alveolar ridge; but it may be used with equal advantage in distending the jaws for. other purposes.

The operation of the device is as follows: The device is inserted in the patients mouth, the cheeks distended by the manipulation of the handles and then the tray with plaster placed in position on the maxillary or alveolar ridge. By distending the cheeks the fiabby or loose folds and even the rigid muscles are retracted', thereby lcavinga plain field for an accurate impression. Vhen operated, as before explained, the parts may be locked in their distended position.

I-Iaving now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In acheek-distender, a plurality of arms, cheek-pieces connected with the same, said cheek-pieces conforming substantially to the shape of the cheeks, and means for expanding and locking the parts.

2. In a cheek-distender, a plurality of arms, cheek-pieces connected with said arms, -a pivoted connection between said arms, and means for locking the arms when manipulated.

3. In a cheek-distender, a plurality of arms having a connection near their centers, and a thumb-screw or coupling-pin for locking the parts.

4. In a cheek-distender, a plurality of connected arms, means for expanding the arms, and cheek-pieces extending from the same, said cheek-pieces formed with clamps to hold raw cotton or the like.

5. In a cheek-distender, a plurality of connected arms, means for expanding the arms, and cheek-pieces extending from the same, said cheek-pieces formed with depressions to override the muscles of the cheeks.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES e. onooxnrr.

Witnesses: A

ALLEN T. EsKRIDGn, Jr., F.. D. CALFEE. 

